Five thoughts from Midland High's 35-21 loss to San Angelo Central

Published 10:11 am, Saturday, October 18, 2014

Members of the Midland High offense scramble to recover a fumble as San Angelo Central's Joseph Delgado (32) gets his hands on the ball on Friday at Midland High. James Durbin/Reporter-Telegram

Members of the Midland High offense scramble to recover a fumble as San Angelo Central's Joseph Delgado (32) gets his hands on the ball on Friday at Midland High. James Durbin/Reporter-Telegram

Photo: James Durbin

Five thoughts from Midland High's 35-21 loss to San Angelo Central

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Midland High entered halftime against San Angelo Central with a 21-14 lead. One quarter later, the Bulldogs were down 35-21, a hole too big to climb out of in the fourth quarter.

The win moved the Bobcats (6-1, 2-0 in 3-6A) to solo first in District 3-6A, while the Bulldogs (4-3, 1-1 in 3-6A) dropped into a four-way tie for second.

Here are my five thoughts from the Central game, ranging from MHS’ turnover trend and the effectiveness of the option.

1. Turnovers and lost possessions are no longer an isolated issue for Midland High; they’re a trend. On paper, the Bulldogs only had one turnover against San Angelo Central on Friday night, but a muffed return on kick and a punt totally swung momentum against MHS in the first and second half. The first, a muffed kick, allowed Central to turn a 7-7 game into a 14-7 game in a matter of a few plays. And a muffed punt in the second half allowed the Bobcats to grab a 35-21 lead, a score that all but ended the game. Midland High has struggled with turnovers for four straight games, only escaping with a win only once against Odessa High. The Bulldogs have played well enough in all of these games to come away with wins. But until they can figure out a way to eliminate crippling mistakes, they won’t reach their full potential.

2. A week after the Bulldogs all but abandoned the pass in the second half against Odessa High, the opposite occurred against Central. Despite a solid rushing effort in the first half by MHS, including 70 yards from Darius Reed, Midland High pretty much abandoned the run from the middle of the third quarter forward. The Bulldogs were down 14 at the time, but there was still plenty seconds left to claw back into the contest. Instead, they continued to throw, something that was remarkably ineffective in the second half. Midland High needs its running game to set up the pass, specifically open lanes for the team’s effective down-field threats. And midway through the third quarter is too early give up on the run.

3. MHS quarterback Ryan Goodrum performed well in the first half, throwing two touchdown passes and largely being responsible with the ball. Then the wheels started to fall off. Goodrum did not complete his first pass of the second half until midway through the fourth quarter. Part of the issue was the Bulldogs were playing from behind and Goodrum had to force some passes, but it would also have been good to see MHS attempt a few more short patterns to allow Goodrum find his rhythm. Midland High has the speed and shiftiness at WR to cause damage with short slants and out routes. But the Bulldogs weren’t throwing many of them, they’re the type of plays needed to energize a lethargic passing attack.

4. Midland High used the option heavily for the first time last week against OHS, and it featured again versus the Bobcats. But the formation still is in need of a little work. While Goodrum and Reed are capable of effectively running the set, there were multiple occasions where Goodrum looked hesitant as to either turn the ball up field or make the pitch. It cost the Bulldogs yards a few times, and almost also resulted in disaster a few others. The option can be a dangerous tool for MHS moving forward, but Goodrum needs to commit 100 percent to his decision on each play to make it the most effective.

5. Sophomore wide receiver Courtney McMaryion has flashed quite a few times in 2014, and Friday was no exception. McMaryion caught a 40-yard touchdown, a play when he displayed his speed, and a 18-yard touchdown, when he showed his leaping ability on a fade route. The sophomore is a weapon on the outside for Midland High, and the ball will continue to find its way to him.